Vertical coin counting tube



July 13, 1965 R. 1'. ALLEN VERTICAL COIN COUNTING TUBE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1962 FIG.2

FIG. I

INVENTOR Robert T. Allen A TTORNEV July 13, 1965 R. 1'. ALLEN VERTICAL COIN COUNTING TUBE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 18, 1962 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

till/ n m m T LU ATTORNEY July 13, 1965 R. 'r. ALLEN VERTICAL COIN COUNTING TUBE Filed D90. 18, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.5

FIG.

FIG.8

INVENTOR Robert T. A Hen A TTORNEV July 13, 1965 R. 'r. ALLEN VERTICAL com coumme TUBE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Filed Dec. 18. 1962 FIG 9 INVENTOR. Robert T. Allen 8Y6 W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,194,393 VERTICAL COIN CQUNTING TUBE Robert T. Allen, 132 Pineview Terrace, Plainfield, NJ. Filed Dec. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 245,464 2 Claims. (Cl. 206-.83)

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 161,778 filed on December 20, 1961, now Patent No. 3,071,243, granted January 1, 1963, by Robert T. Allen.

This invention deals with a vertical counting tube for coins. More specifically, it relates to a vertical coin counting tube having stepped sections and interiorly disposed staggered ledges for limiting entry, into each section, of coins in excess of the counted number.

There have been disclosed in the art numerous counting trays in which coins are to be laid on their edges and counted by stacking in these trays. Unfortunately, such trays are bulky and ditficult to handle so that their use in buses, for example, has never been undertaken. Demand has arisen for a vertical counting device of a simple type, but there has been no success in'developing such a unit.

The object of the present invention is to provide such a device which will count coins accurately in the vertical direction and which can be made cheaply and which can be used without any complicated manual or mechanical operations. In copeuding application, Serial No. 161,- 778, filed on Dec. 20, 1961, by Robert T. Allen, a vertical coin counting tube similar to the one of the present invention, is described. The present application involves new and important improvements thereof, as will be apparent from the description which is to follow.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment is disclosed, and in which FIGURE 1 illustrates a rear view of the counting tube, while a side view thereof is depicted in FIGURE 2. A vertical crosssectional view showing the interior rear portion of the same tube is presented in FIGURE 3. FIGURE 4 shows a similar view of the front portion thereof. A top view thereof is illustrated in FIGURE 5. A cross-sectional side view of the same tube is shown in FIGURE 6, while FIGURE 7 depicts the same view when the tube is filled with coins. FIGURE 8 presents a schematic top view of the tube showing that the coin must be tilted to be insertedtherein. A schematic phantom front view of the tube is shown in FIGURE 9 to illustrate the manner of stacking the coins therein. FIGURE 10 depicts a side elevational cross-sectional view of another modification of a tube wherein the tube sections are stacked along the same vertical axis. Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the various figures.

Referring again to the drawings, numeral 1 designates generally a counting tube of the present invention having sections 2, 2', 2", etc., each successive section being stepped incremently forward from the one above (FIG. 2). Since backs of the steps define the rear boundary, and steps 3 the front boundary of each section the two boundaries are separated at the sides at 6 by a distance equal to the wall thickness (FIG. 6) of the tube. Each section 2, 2', 2", etc., has a height such as to contain a counted number of coins, such as 5, but preferably not over 10. Since the stepwise design would tend to make tube 1 unstable as to balance, a vertical balancing fin 4 may be provided to enable tube 1 to rest stably on its bottom edge 8.

Coinbottom 9 (on which the first coin 23" falls) is slanted at a sharp angle, (FIG. 7) such as an angle of 45, and all sections 2, 2', 2", etc., are slanted so that 3,l@l,393 Patented July 13, 1965 for each section, whereby additive accumulation of thickness loss is avoided, provided means are present to place each first coin of the next superimposed section in its proper position. Thickness loss is defined here as the loss in thickness suffered by the coin during use since coinage. It has been found that, even with such stepped section arrangement, extra coins (i.e., those over the counted number intended to be contained per section) will fill in the free space provided by thickness loss of the already-stacked coins, resulting in an inaccurate count of the coin stack. In accordance with the present invention, novel staggered ledge means are provided at the section junctions to alternately tilt the stacks in opposite directions, to guide the coins into their respective stacks, to prevent entry of extra coins into the free space, and to shift the first coin into its new position as soon as one stack is accurately filled, whereby an accuratelycounted tubeful of coins is made available, without jamming, for packaging or wrapping, when discharged by mere inversion of the tube.

Boundaries 24 of the lower sections (i.e., those sections bounded by top section 2 and the bottom of bottom section 2") are provided with inwardly-projecting ledges 11, 12, 11, 12 (FIG. 3), which ledges are also slanted to be parallel to bottom 9, or even may be more slanted. These ledges, which are disposed at the section boundaries and are thus substantially parallel to each other at their outer boundaries 24, extend for a short distance between the middle of the rear and the middle of the side of tube 1. The uppermost ledge 11 begins to emerge gradually from the inner wall at, say 25' (FIG. 3), and then widens to about the center between mid-rear and mid-side at, say 26, when it forms a vertical projecting wall face, say 13. Thereafter, at point 17 about half-way of the width of face 13, the edge of ledge 11 is cut downwardly to form a chamfered ledge 15, after which the ledge and projecting face or wall 13 are cut off practically in a radial cut to form a side 21 connecting with the wall of the tube section 2'. In the uppermost section 2, a similar projecting wall 13 and ledge 11' are provided between the middle of the rear and middle of the side of tube 2, with the exception that ledge 11" is not provided with a chamfer (such as chamfer 15), but is flush with the top edge 7 of the tube. As to the lower ledges 12, 11' and 12', they are similar to ledge 11, with the exception that these ledges (including ledge 11') are suc cessively in image relation to each other. Also, it will be noted that the positions of all of the ledges are staggered so that the first ledge 11" is disposed at the left and the second ledge 11 at the right, the third ledge 12 at the left, and the fourth 11', at the right. As a result of this construction, coins 23 (FIG. 9) inserted at an angle to tube 1 will fall therein and, due to the positions and incline of ledges 11, 12, etc., as well as chambers 15, they will not be caught on these protrusions, but will fall to the lowest point in the tube. After the bottom section 2" is filled with the counted number of coins 23a (say 10 coins), the eleventh coin will fall on ledge 12 andthe coins in the second stack 23b will be tilted downwardly toward the right. After this is filled with the counted 10 coins, the eleventh will fall on ledge 11' and the coins 230 in that stack will be tilted downwardly toward the left, and so on. Because of this positioning, it will be noted from FIGURE 8 that the tube inner sections are vnot circular in cross section, but are of oval shape, being wider attheir sides 1b than at their frontto-rear dimension l'a.

the inside of the front (FIG; 4')-,'and

ample, of the tube wall thickness) would be about 0.1".

As. may be seen frornFIGL9, the first stack 23:: of

coins consists of the first coin (which is coin 23 in FIG. 7, and which lies flat against-the bottom 9-'or 9"),

as well as four more coins superimposed "thereover.

When the sixth coin (which is coin 23' in FIG. 7)' falls 'into thetube, there is insufficient roonrfor it in the remaining space in section 2 so thatit fallson ledge 12', whereby'it is tilted at a slight anglefrorn the coins in stack 2&2; Thereafter, four additional coins fall flat over coin23; forming the second stack of coins. Whenthe peleventh'fcoins falls into the tube, there is. insufficientroom for it in the space remaining in the last-filled secvtion,so that it talls up'on ledge 11', and it is tilted at an angle away from the tilt of the coins in the second stack,-

In the tube'of FIGURES 3-4;. the outer diameter is circular, so a thicker front portion 28 is provided on V the coins could bef'inserted throughthe wider, side portions 51 and 52., In ,thecase of one-cent pieces, for ex-. the, increase in thickness of portionlfi (in excess Ledge, '11 projects about V from the inner wall and has an overall \length of about etc. Finally, when the uppermost coin of the uppermost stack is inserted in'the tube, that coin is practically flush The: tube depicted in FIGURES 1-7 above steps 3 between the upper sections and, of course,

above bottom edge 8 of the loweSt-section.- This enables observations of the coins'in all sections and also permits insertion therein of a-pencil tip or stylus toloosenany coins which may becomeajammedz i In FIGURE 10, a counting, tube 1a is her so;that the front and back corners 3 and 5,1respectively, are e in vertical alignment on the same. vertical axis, so that the tube is more compact laterally and does not require the support or fin ;4. The outerwall ofuppermost section 2 also is provided witha bead or shoulder 40 at least partly around section 2 and near edge 3a to enable engagement of inwardly curled flange 41 0f cap 42 which is designed to be snapped onto the top of'counting'tube 1a and serve as a cover therefor. Coin bottom is provided with vertical slots 30, 30a, 30b, 30cand30d which are cut; into the front walllof each section 2a, 2'61, 2"a, etc,

shown wherein each section is disposediover the lower'section ina man- .with theupperaredge 7 of the tube, indicating'that the tube hasafull count of coins.

9' of tube 1a also may be formed in the shape of'a hollow cap having inwardly-curved flange 43 which snaps. overshoulder 44 and serve as a cover for the bottom.

Downwardly-directe'd tube extension'45 may be provided .with bottorn'fiange 46 to enablestanding of tubela thereon. Thus, it is seen thattube' 1a may serve both as a counting tube and wrapper and may be sent to the bank in that manner. Or, bottom9' and its tube extension may .be substituted by a cap similarto cap 42.. It is, of'course, understood, that tube 1a would be returned by the bank,

the left ofthe, c enterrof [the tubeiebutir'f'the rearhalf thereof. ThjSflS due to the fact that the edge. otan'excess coin will hit section boundary protruding edge 3a and the oppositeedge of the coin vwillf fall ion ledge ;12,'Jwhich ,p0sitionsthe coin for the next countedcoin section, and.

They alternating tiltingofthe stacks caused by staggering of the ledgesavoidsiexcessive build-up of angularity, i.e., it tends to minimize theincrease in vertical slantof upper coins 23, over the lowercoins 23 andalsoeffects. better'positioning in the arcuate' filling ot the S667,

tions.

When the tube is entirelyfilledwith coins,:the,addition Y of an extracoin in'the upper section 2 lot the Etube will cause the cointo slide off upper vedge 7 whichirthus'will prevententry of further'coins into that section, a

After the tube is filled; with coins, asshOWn iniFIG- URE 7,. it is invertedand the, coins are, poured into a 1. wrapper inaccurately-counted condition; .The other tube. shown in the drawings is'handled in 3:Sll1'1ll31' manner,

except asmodifiedby the changes indicated, I claim: 7 1 V V a 1. A coin countingtubdcorhprising,

a vertical layer of hollow; parallel slightly ovate cylirb' drical sections, including top andrbottorn sections dis 1 posedin forwardlykand downwardlyrslantedand superimposed relation .to each other, the height of each section being; such that the.1oss in thickness of -the coins therein is less than the-thickness-ofa run-,

of-theemill. coin; f

. a flat coin bottom' 7 slanted in said tube and to-thesame degree,

a downwardly-slanted ledge and .projectionithereunder V I protruding inwardly from thej-upperfinner back boundary ofeach. section, said ledgegand projection V being disposed in staggeredandgimage-relation-to the next, succeeding ledg'e between the -backfland;;s'ide centers in a mannersuch that extra coins or: an upper. a section will fall, thereon and be tilted in a direction: i V opposite to thataof thefjcoins' in the, lower section, said ledge ineach section being flush with the'upper};

edge of its section.

2. A. coin counting tube according 10min 11in which i all ledges, except the upper ledge, are provided with a downwardly-directed charnfer on their lower, portions. ReferencesCited by thellilnarniner.

. UNITED STATES PATENTS 732,413 6/03 Hurd. V THERON eiconnoNg Prim y E m er; 5" i for the wbott'orn section, siniila'rly 

1. A COIN COUNTING TUBE, COMPRISING, A VERTICAL LAYER OF HOLLOW, PARALLEL SLIGHTLY OVATE CYLINDRICAL SECTIONS, INCLUDING TOP AND BOTTOM SECTIONS DISPOSED IN FORWARDLY- AND DOWNWARDLY-SLANTED AND SUPERIMPOSED RELATION TO EACH OTHER, THE HEIGHT OF EACH SECTION BEING SUCH THAT THE LOSS IN THICKNESS OF THE COINS THEREIN IS LESS THAN THE THICKNESS OF A RUNOF-THE-MILL COIN, A FLAT COIN BOTTOM FOR THE BOTTOM SECTION, SIMILARLY SLANTED IN SAID TUBE AND TO THE SAME DEGREE, A DOWNWARDLY-SLANTED LEDGE AND PROJECTION THEREUNDER PROTRUDING INWARDLY FROM THE UPPER INNER BACK BOUNDARY OF EACH SECTION, SAID LEDGE AND PROJECTION BEING DISPOSED IN STAGGERED AND IMAGE RELATION TO THE NEXT SUCCEEDING LEDGE BETWEEN THE BACK AND SIDE CENTERS IN A MANNER SUCH THAT EXTRA COINS OF AN UPPER SECTION WILL FALL THEREON AND BE TILTED IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THAT OF THE COINS IN THE LOWER SECTION, SAID LEDGE IN EACH SECTION BEING FLUSH WITH THE UPPER EDGE OF ITS SECTION. 